ARKLE PLANS FOR FOOTPAD

FOOTPAD cruised to an impressive 11 lengths victory in the Grade 1 Racing Post Novice Chase, feature of the St Stephens’ Day action in Leopardstown.

Ridden by Paul Townend, the exciting, Willie Mullins-trained five-year-old built on his chase debut success in Navan, forging clear to beat Any Second Now (above) in commanding style.

Footpad was sent off

4/6 favourite for what was billed a head-to-head with Death Duty, unbeaten in three starts over fences.

But Gordon Elliott’s charge was struggling soon after the second last and was a remote and well-beaten third when crashing out at the last.

A delighted Willie

Mullins stated: “He’s electric and has been since day one, the best I’ve seen for a long time. He puts horses away with his jumping and, like Navan, put the race to bed a long way out.”

Mullins, who also won the bumper with favourite Blackbow, confirmed that Footpad will return to Leopardstown for the Irish Arkle on February 3 en route to the Arkle at Cheltenham, for which he was cut to 7/4 (from 4/1) by both Paddy Power and Boylesports.

Earlier, on a day when Henry de Bromhead saddled a superb 4334/1 treble with Ellie Mac

(50/1), Paloma Blue (4/1) and Tisamystery (16/1), the Gavin Cromwell-trained Espoir d’allen retained his unbeaten record over hurdles when justifying favouritism in the Knight Fran Juvenile Hurdle.

Ridden by Mark Walsh and completing a hurdling four-timer, producing a workmanlike performance to beat the Elliott-trained pair, Farclas and Mitchouka.

Elsewhere, Elliott completed a magnificent four-timer in Down Royal, in addition to enjoying a fortuitous one-two with Dounikos and Tombstone in the Grade 2 novice chase.